Palmetto, Georgia, USA

I have been taking photos of birds and insects for over 35 years, and have a number of websites dedicated to various insect groups. The most extensive ones are for dragonflies and damselflies, robber flies, caterpillars, tiger beetles, and jumping spiders; and all are accessible from my main web site. I frequently head out looking for one thing and get fascinated by some other insect entirely...

I use Nikon bodies, most often a D7100 or D7500. For small insects, I use either a Nikkor 200mm Macro or more recently a Sigma 150mm Macro. Though the Nikkor older and fairly slow, it has amazing glass. The Sigma is just amazing. For more distant work I use a Nikkor 70-300mm VR Zoom, often with a Kenko 36mm extension tube, and for out in rivers, I use a Sigma 70-300mm macro zoom. I almost always use a tripod and full shade with a slow shutter speed for insects and spiders. Lately I have also started using a handheld Lumix FZ-1000 which takes really amazing stuff, considering. Can't beat the full-bodied dslr and tripod but sometimes comes very close.

I have been fortunate to write or contribute to several books, including several bird books, and two insect guides: Dragonflies and Damselflies of Georgia and the Southeast; and Tiger Beetles of the Southeastern US (in press, written with Steve Krotzer and Brian Holt, will be out in 2021).

One final comment, shamelessly borrowed from fellow editor Ken Wolgemuth: Any editor should feel free to frass any image of mine that does not, in his or her considered opinion, add value to the Guide. My feelings won't be hurt--I promise. Well said!